Description by Teresa Bürgisser Sancristoforo

Situated within the UNESCO-listed Val d’Orcia Natural Park, in the Brunello di Montalcino wine-making region, Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco is a 5,000-acre country estate founded by Massimo and Chiara Ferragamo. The Italian resort is a celebration of the natural beauty and rich gastronomic heritage of Tuscany. The 800-year-old estate comprises the ruins of a castle, a medieval church and the Borgo, a historic village that now forms the heart of the resort.

Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco features a leading Brunello di Montalcino winery, two restaurants, an organic kitchen garden and a cooking school, as well as a breathtaking 18-hole private golf course and a pampering spa. Plentiful leisure facilities and a carefully curated selection of activities and excursions designed to highlight the region’s landscape and culture count among the offerings of this unique Tuscan retreat.

Location

Located in the countryside of Montalcino, Tuscany, in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Val d’Orcia, Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco is set within one of the oldest and best-preserved estates in Italy, located just 28 miles from Siena and 55 miles from Florence.

History

Over 800 years of unbroken history and a landscape shaped as much by human culture as by geology and nature make Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco a very special place. But even before the estate appears in written records, this area was very much on the map. Its strategic elevated position was appreciated by the Etruscans as early as 600 B.C., as shown by the many archaeological finds on the estate. The property stands alongside the ancient Via Francigena, a route traveled by merchants and pilgrims on their way from Canterbury to Rome, many of whom visited the Pieve San Michele from around 725 A.D. Looming above Il Borgo, the scant ruins of a castle built in the 12th century and further fortified in the 13th century pay tribute to the importance of Castiglion del Bosco.

With its mix of clay, sand and volcanic trachyte from prehistoric explosions, this stunning corner of Tuscany is the perfect terroir for growing Sangiovese grapes. In the 19th century, the estate played a role in the development of what is now one of Italy’s most highly regarded wines: Brunello di Montalcino. In 2003, Massimo Ferragamo purchased the Castiglion del Bosco estate, which at 5,000 acres is one of the largest privately owned estates in Italy. Mr. Ferragamo was fascinated by the estate’s history and unique continuity, but also excited by the prospect of recreating the authentic social role of the estate in a new, stylishly contemporary vein. Since then, meticulous attention has been devoted to upgrading Castiglion del Bosco’s traditional agricultural output, with extensive replanting of ageing vineyards to enhance wine production. At the same time, an unparalleled range of guest facilities and accommodation have been created through the sensitive refurbishment of the Borgo and ten outlying farmhouses. Today, the property offers the very best of contemporary estate living within an extraordinarily rich historical framework.

The Borgo

Huddled on a hilltop, overlooking the patchwork fields that stretch out in the direction of Montalcino, the Borgo is the former heart of Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco’s farming community and was at the center of the estate’s activities for hundreds of years. Today, the Borgo forms the heart of the resort and features 23 suites housed within its buildings. With the buildings restored to their former glory, the Borgo is vibrant with activity in the cooking school, the hand curated shop, the kitchen garden, the rustic Osteria La Canonica and the understated Ristorante Campo del Drago. Simultaneously, an air of serenity is evoked by the the Spa at Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, the infinity pool and a fitness center.

Suites Warmed by gentle Tuscan hues, the resort’s spacious suites offer exceptional comfort and the chance to enjoy an area of outstanding natural beauty in a framework of understated sophistication. Housed within the buildings of the Borgo, the resort’s 23 suites exude Tuscan sophistication with antique furniture, genuine textiles and artisanal pieces. Exposed wooden beams and cozy corners are juxtaposed with modern comforts and the latest technology, while the terraces and picturesque views are alive with greenery.

Villas

Created from restored 17th- and 18th-century farmhouses, ten luxury villas capture the changing moods of the Tuscan landscape. Featuring stone, wood, antiques and bespoke furnishings, the elegant interiors are distinguished by their Sienese hues, handcrafted pieces and pleasing textures. The two-to-six-bedroom villas all feature private heated pools and many offer a wood-burning pizza oven, home theater or private tennis court, plus an extensive list of luxury amenities. Ideal for families and groups of friends, the villas offer the ultimate in luxurious privacy, and are the perfect setting for private events and gatherings, such as a barbecue or Italian-inspired Pizza Party.

Interior Design

With the guiding principle of designing Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco as a home rather than a hotel, Mrs. Chiara Ferragamo styled the estate’s interiors using her own personal touch. Working with her Florencebased friend and designer, Teresa Bürgisser Sancristoforo, they lent every single villa, suite and communal space elegance and warmth, drawing on Tuscany’s strong tradition of creativity in furniture, homeware and textiles. Each piece in the resort reflects Tuscany’s cultural heritage and the natural color palette of the surrounding Val d’Orcia, respecting the spirit of place while ensuring opulent comfort through the use of carefully sourced fabrics, silverware, ceramics, marble, and antiques.